Fayette school board 4.30

A different way of looking at Ohio Achievement Test data looks good to Fayette elementary school principal Dr. LuAnn Boyer.

Dr. Boyer showed the results of the “value-added” analysis to board of education members April 21.

Rather than showing the actual achievement scores, the value added approach shows the progress made from one year to the next. While achievement scores focus on a different group of students each year, the value added approach tracks the same students as they move from one class to another.

Overall, Fayette showed expected or greater gains in seven of 10 categories. Gains were especially impressive in mathematics greater-than-expected gains were shown in four of five grades. Among the county’s seven school districts, only Swanton showed the same amount of progress.

An analysis by the Northwest Ohio Educational Service Center indicated that a more rigorous curriculum may be needed for the upper students in fourth and sixth grades. Enrichment activities could offer a greater challenge.

In reading, expected for above gain were shown in two of the five grades, however, below-standard growth in the seventh and eighth grades was a state-wide trend, and all Fulton County districts faltered.

Once again, it was noted that challenging activities could benefit the more able students.

“We still have some work to do at a couple of grade levels,” Dr. Boyer told the board.

She also said she was a little cautious of the results since this is the first year that value-added scores have been discussed...